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Young gay and bisexual men are living in fear amid rising hate crimes against them, including "bait and bash attacks" set up via dating apps, an inquiry has been told.

Social media platforms and algorithms were increasingly used to co-ordinate homophobic attacks, with the organised violence forcing some men back into the closet.

A Victorian parliamentary inquiry into anti-LGBTQI hate crimes, chaired by Liberal MP Joe McCracken, was told of the issues in Melbourne on Thursday.

Victorian Commissioner for LGBTQI Communities Joe Ball said there had been a rise in such hate crimes, but much of it was under-reported.

Amid a rise in anti-LGBTQI sentiment globally, there had been significant numbers of co-ordinated, sustained hate crimes against LGBTQI people in Victoria, he told the inquiry.

It was conceivable a terrorist attack could target the LGBTQI community in Australia, Mr Ball said.

"Gay and bi men are living in fear along with LGBTQI plus communities more broadly," he said.

"They are living with the fear that this could happen to them."

Death threats, assaults, threats against parents, intimidation, hateful graffiti, harassment and vilification all added to the feelings of fear, Mr Ball said